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Why investigate water and catchments with RIEL?

  • Rivers, estuaries and wetlands in northern Australia are relatively undisturbed providing unique natural laboratories

  • Research is needed to safeguard drinking water quality in remote communities

  • Surface and groundwater use, relationships and sustainable yields in the north require further study to inform wise development

Water and catchments

River (RIEL image only)

RIEL conducts internationally-recognised research to understand and improve the management of freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine systems in northern Australia and globally. Indigenous partnerships are an intrinsic part of our research approach.

This work includes:

  • modelling aquatic ecologies and key species
  • assessing water quality risks for communities, aquaculture and environments
  • understanding environmental water needs and surface/groundwater interactions
  • understanding atmospheric moisture, groundwater origin and plant water use
  • predicting climate and land-use change impacts on food webs, carbon dynamics and nutrient cycling
  • developing innovations in eDNA, tracers, blue carbon, sonar and other tech.

Water and catchments flyer (PDF, 851.93 KB)

Interested in water and catchments?